In short: To appoint a new director, check your articles, get the board (or shareholders) to approve the appointment, make sure the new director has verified their identity with Companies House, then notify Companies House within 14 days and update your register of directors. Since 18 November 2025 the appointment cannot be filed until the person has a Companies House personal code.
Adding a director is one of the most common changes a company makes. You might be bringing in a business partner, an investor's representative or someone with skills you lack. The process is simple, but there are legal steps you must follow, and the identity verification rules introduced in November 2025 mean you now need to plan a little further ahead.
Who can be a director
A director must be a real person (a "natural person") aged 16 or over. They can live anywhere in the world and do not need to be a UK citizen. A company can have corporate directors (another company), but every company must have at least one director who is a natural person.
Some people cannot be directors, for example someone disqualified by a court or an undischarged bankrupt (unless a court allows it). If you are unsure, ask the person to confirm, and check the public register of disqualified directors.
Step by step: appointing a director
- Check your articles of association. Most companies use the model articles, which let the existing directors (the board) appoint a new director, or the shareholders by ordinary resolution. Some bespoke articles set other rules, such as a maximum number of directors or shareholder consent.
- Approve the appointment. Hold a board meeting or sign a written resolution approving the appointment and the start date. Keep the minutes or resolution with your company records.
- Get the person's consent and details. You need their full name, any former names, date of birth, nationality, occupation, country of residence, a service address and their residential address. The residential address is not shown on the public register.
- Make sure they have verified their identity. Since 18 November 2025 every new director must verify their identity with Companies House before the appointment is filed. They do this through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Form My Company is an ACSP, so we can complete the check for them, remotely. Once verified, they receive a personal code, which is needed for the filing.
- Notify Companies House. File the appointment (form AP01 for an individual) online or on paper within 14 days of the appointment date. There is no Companies House fee for this filing.
- Update your registers. Add the director to your register of directors and the register of directors' residential addresses.
What the director should know before they start
Becoming a director comes with legal duties. Under the Companies Act 2006 a director must, among other things, act within the company's powers, promote the success of the company, use independent judgement, use reasonable care and skill, and avoid conflicts of interest. A new director should read the articles, the latest accounts and any shareholders' agreement before agreeing to join.
If the person will also own 25% or more of the shares or votes, or otherwise have significant control, they will also need to be recorded as a person with significant control (PSC).
Common mistakes
- Missing the 14-day deadline. Late notification is an offence and leaves the public register wrong.
- Leaving verification until the last minute. Ask the new director to verify their identity as soon as you agree the appointment. It usually takes a few minutes online, but some people need the Post Office route or an ACSP.
- Forgetting the service address. It is public. If the director does not want their home address linked to the company, use a separate service address, such as our Director Service Address.
- Not recording the decision. Keep the board minutes or written resolution. It is evidence that the appointment was valid.
Removing or replacing a director
If a director is leaving at the same time, file their termination (form TM01) within 14 days too. A company must always have at least one director who is a natural person, so make sure the new director's appointment is in place first if the outgoing director is the only one.
How Form My Company can help
Our Director Appointment or Resignation service costs £100. We prepare the board resolution, file the change with Companies House and update your registers. As a Companies House ACSP, we can verify the new director's identity for you, remotely, and give them their personal code, so the appointment is not held up. If you also need formal minutes, see Resolutions and Minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to tell Companies House about a new director?
You must notify Companies House within 14 days of the date the director was appointed.
Does a new director need to verify their identity first?
Yes. Since 18 November 2025 a new director must verify their identity with Companies House and have a personal code before the appointment can be filed.
Can a director live outside the UK?
Yes. A director can live anywhere in the world. They must be at least 16 and give a service address that will appear on the public register.
Is there a Companies House fee to appoint a director?
No. Companies House does not charge a fee to file a director appointment.
Can shareholders appoint a director?
Usually yes. Under the model articles, both the board and the shareholders (by ordinary resolution) can appoint a director. Check your own articles.